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'It was the genius of the system . . . From day to day you didn't know who was on the take or not. You didn't know who you could trust.'

Three Crooked Kings is the shocking true story of Queensland and how a society was shaped by almost half a century of corruption. At its core is Terence Murray Lewis, deposed and jailed former police commissioner. From his entry into the force in 1949, Lewis rose through the ranks, becoming part of the so-called Rat Pack with detectives Glendon Patrick Hallahan and Tony Murphy under the guiding influence of Commissioner Frank Bischof.

The next four decades make for a searing tale of cops and killings, bagmen and blackmail, and sin and sleaze that exposes a police underworld which operated from Queensland and into New South Wales. This gripping book exposes the final pieces of the puzzle, unearths new evidence on cold cases, and explores the pivotal role that whistleblower Shirley Brifman, prostitute and brothel owner, played until her sudden death.

Based on extensive and unprecedented access to Terry Lewis and his personal papers, as well as hundreds of interviews with key players and conspirators, Three Crooked Kings is the first of two explosive books. Awarded journalist and novelist Matthew Condon has crafted the definitive account of an era that changed a state and is still reverberating to this day.

I borrowed this book from the library. It was so good I just had to have my own copy. I am looking forward to my next holiday. I will take it with me...Read complete review

I borrowed this book from the library. It was so good I just had to have my own copy. I am looking forward to my next holiday. I will take it with me and read and savour it again. The book is stored in my book shelf along with my other prized books.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

No minor detail left unexplored

An interesting read, but sometimes got bogged down in too many minor factual details for me. A book that anyone from this period of time in Queensland modern history should find interesting, but...Read complete review

An interesting read, but sometimes got bogged down in too many minor factual details for me. A book that anyone from this period of time in Queensland modern history should find interesting, but may lack a little for those not familiar with the names of the players and landmarks- mostly hotels, nightclubs and brothels, refered to throughout.For me, just a little too young to have been around for all but the last few years that the book relates to (up until the appointment of Lewis as Police commisioner), it read a little too much like a newspaper story- not surprising as the author is a well respected Queensland journalist. However, in saying that, I now look forward to the follow up book, which continues on through the mid to late seventies and eighties, the time when I was growing up in Brisbane and becoming familiar with the unique political landscape of this State, devouring the pages of the Courier Mail daily throughout the Fitzgerald Enquiry, secretly hoping to recognise the names of any of the bit players. I have the the hope that it will transport me back to those times of my life, that despite the corruption,fear, sometimes brutality, and poor Governance, everything in my home State seemed more innocent and full of hope than it is now.

I borrowed this book from the library. It was so good I just had to have my own copy. I am looking forward to my next holiday. I will take it with me and read and savour it again. The book is stored in my book shelf along with my other prized books.

Journalist and writer, Matthew Condon was born in Brisbane and has lived in the UK, Germany and France. His first book, The Motorcycle Cafe , was widely reviewed and praised. Usher and The Ancient Guild of Tycoons were both shortlisted for the NBC Banjo Award for Fiction. A Night at the Pink Poodle and The Lulu Magnet won back-to-back Steele Rudd Awards for Short Fiction. His bestseller , The Trout Opera was shortlisted for the Qld Premier's Prize for Fiction.